They are issues that could affect the seven companies that own casinos or racinos in the state. Matt Bell, president of the Casino Association of Indiana, stressed consistency and stability as attracting investment.

"The challenge before policy makers is, how do we make sure Indiana is positioned to succeed in a 21st Century environment while at the same time acting in a way that recognizes and values the investments that have been made by operators and communities across our state," Bell said.

Ford, however, stressed being competitive with neighboring states.

"It's time to have these frank discussions," he said. "We want to be as consistent as possible, but also, the gaming industry is changing, and changing around us."

A year ago, Morrison's bill drew national attention because it included an "integrity fee" that gave sports leagues a cut of the action. Ford's bill did not have that.

For the upcoming session, Ford said, the House and Senate bills won't be much different. He did not disclose details.

Ford said the most important aspects of his bill will be allowing wagering on mobile devices and keeping taxes low. Both of those issues have the potential of keeping bettors in the illegal market rather than bringing them into legal betting that generates revenue for the state, according to testimony a legislative study committee heard in October.

There is a long list of questions that would have to be answered about how sports gambling would work in Indiana.

Moving casinos

The legislature would have to agree to allow a license holder to move the location of a casino, something Ford advocates.

"From an economic development standpoint, we need to really think about the Gary licenses and whether we are best using our state assets — in terms of the licenses — at the locations where they're at now," Ford said. "It's my belief that if we're going to be a gaming state, let's be a gaming state and maximize our revenue. I personally believe moving the licenses is a way to do that."

Ford later clarified that he advocates moving one of the two licenses from Gary. Spectacle Entertainment, which includes a Terre Haute businessman, plans to acquire Majestic Star's two Gary casinos.

Sara Gonso Tait, executive director of the Indiana Gaming Commission, said she hopes to have an investigation finished in time for a ruling on Spectacle Entertainment's ownership application in March.

Other casinos will likely oppose moving properties.

"Conversations about moving licenses makes my members nervous and it makes the industry nervous, because that's the kind of change that can challenge a solid investment," Bell said. "Regulatory certainty and market stability have been so important to our growth in Indiana."

Charity gaming

Tait called current state law covering charity gaming "confusing." The games such as bingo and charity casino nights are a $500 million industry in Indiana.

In an environment of legal casino gaming, charities have struggled staffing events.

"Our goal is not to advance policy," Tait said. "It's to simplify and modify the charity gaming statute. We want charities to be able to succeed and to raise money to further their charitable purpose."

She called the changes "technical" and "fiscally neutral."

The bill would ease rules on people who work at the charity events. They currently must be members of the charitable organization for 90 days. That would be cut to 30. The people working at the events would still be prohibited from receiving compensation.

The bill would also allow increased prize limits in charity gaming.

Tax rates

"Is it more profitable for an operator to stay under a threshold and enjoy a more lenient tax rate?" Bell said. "I would like to see policy that invites investment, invites profitability. It can be argued that a graduated tax rate has an adverse effect on that."

There is potential to adjust the graduated tax. There's also potential for taxing table games at a different rate in an attempt to attract new players from the Millennial generation.

"They enjoy a more social atmosphere," Bell said. "Table games provide that environment to some extent. So taking a look at the way we tax that activity may well make sense to the overall strategy of drawing additional patrons into our casino properties."

Ford, however, wants to make sure all casinos benefit.

"For some of our smaller properties, lowering the table game tax may not have a significant impact," he said. "We have to take a holistic approach."

'Promotional play'

Promotional play, or "free play," is when a casino offers, say, free pulls of a slot machine lever. That's taxed after $7 million annually in promotional plays at a casino.

"It's perhaps the most effective marketing tool we have," Bell said of promotional play. "In states where those caps have been extended or lifted, there has been a corresponding increase in play."

Ford said it's an issue to discuss.

"When you look at the whole Midwest, other states are moving on this," Ford said. "I'm not saying we should do that here in Indiana, but it's something we ought to talk about. One concern I would have is if it gave one casino an advantage over others."